Pat Tillman walked the walk

It was ten years ago that America lost Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was a smallish, over achieving safety for the Arizona Cardinals football team. Some said he was too small or too slow to play in the NFL. But the Arizona Cardinals saw the heart that made Tillman special. He eventually led the team in tackles and pushed his teammates to give their best effort on the field, with his unstoppable desire to win.

Then came the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Tillman was deeply affected by the attacks and vowed not to sit idly by. Tillman met with his head coach and said he was putting his football career on hold so he could enlist in the Army. A young athlete in the prime of his career, turning down a $3.6 million salary by the Cardinals, to enlist in the fight against terrorism. For $18,000 a year. Within the year, Tillman was one of the front line soldiers invading Iraq as part of Iraqi Freedom. After a number of tours of duty and training to become an elite Army Ranger, Tillman was back in Afghanistan taking the fight to the Taliban.

On April 22nd, 2004, Tillman’s platoon came under fire from enemy insurgents. Under the chaos of battle, Tillman was mistaken for an enemy combatant and gunned down by what the Army reports called “friendly fire”. When news flashed on the evening news that Pat Tillman had lost his life in combat, America was in a state of shock. Heroes aren’t supposed to die. Not people like Pat Tillman.

The life of Pat Tillman is worth remembering because he was a man who put the needs of others before his desires. Instead of talking about a problem, Tillman wanted to “do” something about it. He didn’t talk the talk, he walked the walk.

I didn’t know Pat Tillman but I loved what he stood for. He cared deeply about doing the right thing for a country that he dearly loved. America is a great nation because of people like Pat Tillman. As the old adage says, “Actions speak louder than words.” Thank you Pat Tillman, for your generous and courageous service to our country. I will not forget.

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About The Author

Staff photographer at the Tallahassee Democrat for 33 years. Graduated cum laude from Cal Poly SLO in 1978 with a degree in journalism. Married with one teenage son. Fan of Florida State, St. Louis Cardinals and Tower of Power. Interests include playing the saxophone and photography. Follower of Jesus Christ.